I figured this would be the best place to post my side by side comparison of the $3.52 Kobitone microphone element(Part#25LM022). This microphone element is a HI-Z crystal cartridge. There is a ceramic cartridge version that I have not tried (Part#25LM021). The catalog page is located here:
http://www.mouser.com/catalog/623/1260.pdf
I have many different Astatic microphones that have different types of elements in them. I have an Astatic Silver Eagle head with a Heil HC-5 element, The element itself cost $45.00. The Heil element is awesome, But everyone that heard the Kobitone 25LM022 in a side by side comparison liked the Kobitone better. I also tested a stock Astatic DN-HZ and an Astatic T-3 with the stock MC-127/MC-151 element that people are paying in upwards of $99.00 for just the element(It is no longer made). I also did side by side comparisons with a stock Astatic Silver Eagle head and a stock Astatic D-104 head and again the Kobitone was the chosen one. I made sure in the comparisons that I did not tell people what element or microphone I was using and I did the comparison on SSB and AM modes. I had the very rare opportunity to listen to the comparisons of microphone heads, My wife did the switching of microphone heads while I was across town. In my opinion the Kobitone 25LM022 is an awesome replacement that I would say sounds as good as all the other microphones I tested. I would not say it is better, But it is not worse. The Kobitone has it's own characteristics of sound like any other, but it does compare making it a great replacement at an incredible price. I am not the only one who has done this side by side comparison, Harmonica and blues guys are swearing by these elements and so are a number of Amatuer Radio operators. I was told that these Kobitone elements are Chinese made, But the elements themselves have Japan stamped into the metal on the back of the element. If you do decide to buy some of these Kobitone elements be aware that the thin metal cover of the element may be dented when you receive it, But not in any way does it effect the element itself. I ordered 4 and only one of the Kobitone elements was like this. Any questions anyone has for me I will gladly answer.
Thanks,
Larry T.
http://www.mouser.com/catalog/623/1260.pdf
I have many different Astatic microphones that have different types of elements in them. I have an Astatic Silver Eagle head with a Heil HC-5 element, The element itself cost $45.00. The Heil element is awesome, But everyone that heard the Kobitone 25LM022 in a side by side comparison liked the Kobitone better. I also tested a stock Astatic DN-HZ and an Astatic T-3 with the stock MC-127/MC-151 element that people are paying in upwards of $99.00 for just the element(It is no longer made). I also did side by side comparisons with a stock Astatic Silver Eagle head and a stock Astatic D-104 head and again the Kobitone was the chosen one. I made sure in the comparisons that I did not tell people what element or microphone I was using and I did the comparison on SSB and AM modes. I had the very rare opportunity to listen to the comparisons of microphone heads, My wife did the switching of microphone heads while I was across town. In my opinion the Kobitone 25LM022 is an awesome replacement that I would say sounds as good as all the other microphones I tested. I would not say it is better, But it is not worse. The Kobitone has it's own characteristics of sound like any other, but it does compare making it a great replacement at an incredible price. I am not the only one who has done this side by side comparison, Harmonica and blues guys are swearing by these elements and so are a number of Amatuer Radio operators. I was told that these Kobitone elements are Chinese made, But the elements themselves have Japan stamped into the metal on the back of the element. If you do decide to buy some of these Kobitone elements be aware that the thin metal cover of the element may be dented when you receive it, But not in any way does it effect the element itself. I ordered 4 and only one of the Kobitone elements was like this. Any questions anyone has for me I will gladly answer.
Thanks,
Larry T.
